Many thanks to debcole and Froggy0319 for their continued support, without whom, I think I would sink without a trace. Where did everyone go?

From here on out the story is all mine!

YESTERDAY.

by Lingren.

Italics...indicate the internal conversation between the host and his Tok'ra symbiote.

Previously:

"It happens," he said shrugging. It was good to be able to see her smile again.

Chapter 9

"The rest of the money I've donated to various charities, and also the guys who spent a lot of time making sure I was kept away from the public and safe! It seemed only fair. I didn't make billions of dollars just to keep myself in luxury. I did it for the SGC! And now the future of this place is secure, I can, I hope, rejoin my team."

"You really have though of everything, haven't you?" Daniel said awed. Jack had certainly changed. He supposed it was the fact that he'd spent decades buried in financial paperwork. Looking at his friend now, it was difficult to see the old Jack O'Neill beneath the expensive black pinstriped business suit and conservative white shirt with starched collar and black tie. So unlike the Jack he knew who was comfortable just wearing his BDU's.

"I'm still the same Daniel. Just a little bit...wiser, shall we say?"

"Not to mention a lot older too!" Daniel grinned.

Sam snickered, though it was good reaction, bringing about a warmth Jack hadn't felt in years. It was good to be surrounded by his friends again, though the time was rapidly running out. Soon he would have to return to being John Ryan for the time being.

"Do you know when? When Ryan is going to 'die' that is?" Hammond asked, hoping to get a rough idea of when he could plan the next stage of the operation.

"No sir. Kanan, won't tell me," he huffed with indignity, "He says it's got to look natural and doesn't want me to 'ham' it up." Jack rolled his eyes with exasperation.

Even General Hammond laughed at that, though Teal'c, who had sat quietly listening to everything, merely raised an eyebrow at the comment.

Jack ignored the guffaws aimed at his acting ability or lack of, and continued.

"It should be within the next two weeks or so sir. Just give me long enough to straighten up my affairs and I'll be waiting on that planet. A slip of paper with the gate co-ordinates on it could be slipped into the pocket of my 'burial suit' so I know where to go, would be just fine General."

"Right then..."

"Does Adam know?" Sam asked softly, wondering exactly how many people knew of his plans.

"No. Neither does any of my household staff. The only one who does know is Teddy Miller. Oh, and one more thing General. I'll need a whole outfit of BDU's, vest, P90, etc., just as it was when I was on that mission."

"Already done Colonel. I'll make sure it's waiting for you to change into."

"Thank you sir."

He looked round at those seated around him, drinking in their cheerful, though worried faces and committed them to memory again. They were obviously happier than when he had first stepped into the room.

Jack stood up and said goodbye to Daniel. He gave Sam a big hug, as if he never wanted to let go, but he had to do this, especially if he wanted to return as Jack O'Neill again. He nodded to Teal'c and the General and moved back to his former seat at the end of the table. His expression warning them not to give anything away to Adam, as Teal'c stepped across to the door to re-admit the aide.

Ryan nodded to Adam who after taking his former place, launched into his speech, saying farewell and that it had been a most enlightening visit. If he had wondered what had gone on behind the closed door, he couldn't read anything on the grim faces gathered there. His patron rose and very stiffly and formally, and bade them a silent goodbye.

General Hammond walked him to the door, and shook his hand firmly.

"Goodbye Mr. Ryan, I hope we may meet again some day."

Jack, keeping within his character, nodded and walked away without turning back to look at his friends. This simple act took more out of him than anything else over the past 40 years had.

OoOoOoOoO

"That wasn't so difficult now, was it?" Kanan's voice popping up in his head goaded whilst they waited for the elevator to deposit them on level 11, ready to change cars. So far, during the proceedings he'd kept his mouth shut, just listening.

"Shut up Kanan. Now is not the time!" Jack retaliated, stepping into the next elevator.

"What? I let you talk to them didn't I?" He grouched.

"Don't push it Worm!"

"So what will you do to me if I do?"

"Kanan!"

"Jack!"

"I told you, it's fool proof plan," Kanan insisted.

Jack wasn't so sure. He was the one on the receiving end if anything went wrong.

"Hey! It's my life too ya know!" The symbiote reminded him, "My life is on the line as well! If I cannot revive you, there's no way I can just take another host. Not if you don't want an outcry after your death."

"Okay, so we both die. Maybe you ought to brush up on your healing skills while I wait for the inevitable to happen."

"Anyone would think you didn't trust me!" Kanan whined.

"Who said I did?"

"Gee, that's all the thanks I get for keeping you healthy over the last 40 years."

Jack snorted softly, making Adam glance across at him. Adam knew when to keep his mouth shut; Mr. Ryan wasn't above taking his head off if he became too inquisitive. The older man had been exceedingly generous when it came to pay day, but then he did hold a special place in his benefactor's heart and could get away with most things 'except' prying into his private life.

Jack reigned in his verbal comments as they reached the surface, not wishing to appear any more of a 'fruit cake' than he was already known for among his staff.

When they stepped out of the elevator, Mr. Ryan was immediately joined by his personal bodyguards who had been told to wait topside, and escorted him to the sleek black limousine that was awaiting him. Its dark tinted windows shielding him from the world outside. Adam climbed in the front next to the chauffeur. The gleaming vehicle then made its way to the main gate and turned down the road towards Colorado Springs, the rest of his entourage following in a plain black sedan.

Alone with his thoughts again, he turned to the only source of real company he'd had over the many long lonely years.

"Hey! Hiss." Jack called out to his symbiote.

"What Hassak?"

"Slime ball!"

"Ass!"

"Okay! Enough!"

"You started it!" Kanan whined.

Jack had grown used to Kanan over the intervening years and this was a game they often played between themselves at quiet moments. Each of them thinking up worse insults to call the other. Hiss, was one of Jack's pet names for Kanan, after the snake 'Sir Hiss' in the Disney film of Robin Hood, except that he refused to add the 'Sir', saying that Kanan hadn't earned the title. While he, on the other hand, had. It was something he had sorely missed too. He had so missed that soft inquiring voice that either called him 'Sir' or 'Colonel'. He had forgotten just how much he'd really missed it until today, when he was reminded of its pull over his emotions. The way Carter had uttered it always sounded so...damn...

He closed his eyes and allowed his mind to wander. It would only be a matter of days or weeks now until he could be with her again, and suddenly the world couldn't spin fast enough for him.

"Jack?"

"Hmmm?"

"Jack!"

"What?" Jack replied testily.

"What did you want?"

"Huh?"

Kanan sighed, and Jack could almost see him putting imaginary hands on his imaginary hips.

"Wake up lover boy! It was you who woke me up, remember?"

"I did? Oh yeah. Give me a clue here Hiss. I wanna know when you plan on..."

"Uh uh! No way! You'll only make plans, and it has to look genuine."

"No I won't."

"Yes you will!"

"I won't!"

"Will!"

"Not."

"Jack, shut up! I'm not warning you when I'm going to 'kill' you, so forget it!"

"Fine! Go back to sleep! Useless worm!"

There was no response from Kanan; he had shut himself off from Jack's insult and retreated into the background.

TBC